Legislative Services

House Passes First Bills

Last week, we noted a gulf in the number of bills passed between the two chambers. The Senate had approved more than 100 bills — now closer to 200 — while the House had yet to pass its first.

Speaker Dustin Burrows had stated that the first bill to pass the House would be House Bill 3 by Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Salado), which would institute public education savings accounts that eligible parents could use to pay for private education. Buckley delayed a vote on HB 3 to allow his colleagues more time to evaluate the proposal, so Burrows’ forecast was a bit off. Nevertheless, the first legislation did indeed pass the House.

On April 2, four bills were considered on the floor, approved, and sent to the Senate:

• HB 13 by Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) – Relating to creating the Texas Interoperability Council and a grant program administered by the council.

• HB 135 by Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Garland) – Relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes for game animals and exotic animals.

• HB 143 by King – Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to address a failure by an operator to maintain an electrical power line serving a well site or certain surface facilities in accordance with the National Electric Code.

• HB 195 by Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D-Dallas) – Relating to the dissemination of certain school district ad valorem tax-related information.

In other House news, Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) forced a Saturday meeting. Weekend meetings typically do not occur until later in the 140-day session, when approaching deadlines motivate lawmakers to work overtime. Read more here.

House to Take Up State Budget Next Week

On March 31, the House Appropriations Committee approved its version of Senate Bill 1 and a substitute for HB 500 by Rep. Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood), the supplemental appropriations bill for the current two-year budget. Both bills are scheduled for a House vote on April 10.

Unlike in the Senate, where traditionally the budget is not amended on the floor, in the House it is standard practice. The deadline to submit House floor amendments for SB 1 or HB 500 is 9 a.m. on April 7.

The Legislative Budget Board has prepared a summary of HB 500 and another for the House’s rewrite of SB 1. For more about the funding of importance to counties included in the House version of SB 1 and HB 500, see these articles from County Issues:

• House Appropriations Committee Readies its Version of SB 1

• Supplemental Appropriations Bill Filed

County Treasurers’ Day

The County Treasurers’ Association has organized its first-ever County Treasurers’ Day at the Capitol. On Tuesday, April 8, county treasurers from all corners of the state will gather in Austin to take part in the festivities.

Attendees will start the day by participating in Tuesday Morning Breakfast before heading to the Capitol to connect with their representatives, senators and staff. The event will provide opportunities for networking, idea exchanges and discussions on top issues. More information is available here.

Legislative Directory Available

TAC’s Legislative Directory for the 89th Legislature is now available. The directory includes contact information for legislative leaders, committees, county official associations and TAC’s Legislative Services team.

Order free your copies here.

Grant Opportunities

This newsletter will highlight new grant opportunities on the last Friday of each month. Look for updates in the April 25 edition of County Issues, or visit TAC’s continuously updated Grant Opportunities webpage.

TAC also maintains a listserv community to foster discussion between county officials on available grants. To join the listserv or share a grant success story, please contact Zelma Smith.

Week in Review is a collaborative column from TAC Legislative Services.